The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-08-06

the order of precedence, the attorney general coming last, as the department of justice was the last to be created.
 At two o'clock every afternoon, or as near thereafter as he is disengaged, the president takes q light lunch. From the lunch table he goes back to his office and remains until five o'clock, working literally with his sleeves rolled up, disposing of the matters which have accumulated during the morning hours. During these hours no visitors whatever are received un- less they have a previous special ap- pointment, cabinet officers, as above mentioned, being an exception. At five o'clock the president, accompanied Dy Mrs. Cleveland, takes drive, usually going out to Oak View. some times returning in time for seven o'clock dinner at the White House. The evenings sle almost invariably spent by the president at his desk. He never retires before midnight and more often than otherw ise the hour is later. There is scarcely day so dull that the callers on the president do not run into the hundreds, although it is impossible for him always to see those who call. Quite often it is com- plained of by members of congress and others that they have no opportunity to sit down and have talk with the president alone. It is a rare occasion in the private audience room when ha, hnl T cst
 ting or standing around waiting for their turn. It is amusing to see the anxiety of these fellows who are talk ing to the president for fear what they say may be overheard. The president has the faculty of speaking in per- fectly distinct tone, and yet, if he wishes it, he can drop his voice so low as to be altogether inaudible except to the one he is addressing. It is rather an exceptional day when fifty or more requests are not made for '.just fifteen minutes private talk with the presi- dent this afternoon" Many of these requests come from persons who have no business of importance, but merely desire the satisfaction of being able to say that they have had nice long talk with the president. The ''just- called to- pay respects" fiend is much dreaded visitor at the White House. He is always on hand and is extremely hard to be put off. Recently when one of these had sent his card in for the tenth time, and pencilled on it in addition that he did not want an office, the president remarked: "l would much sooner see this man if he did want an office, for then he would have something to talk about" The late President Arthur, when he took Mir. Cleveland by the hand to bid him good bye, said; "Mr. President, one of the worst persons you will have to deal with will be the man who has just come to town and must catch the next train. He will be with you early and late.' The experience of Mir. Cleveland confirms this remark of his lamented predecessor.
 The president takes no regular ex- ercise, but walks a great deal about the room. During his private and public reception hours he always stands, moving from one visitor to another. At Oak View he indulges in a regular "constitutional," and nearly every time he gets out there he gets an hours steady walking, tramp ing all over the place. There never have been any dumb bells, Indian clubs, private gymnasium or rubber about the White House since the president entered it. All the stories sent from here purporting to give descriptions of the presidents exer- cises with these things were purely imaginary. The president is now in excellent health, and Colonel Lamont says he has been in a fine condition ever since he first went into the White House with the exceptions of two three turns of ordinary rheuma- tism. He has all his life been accus- toned to indoor work, and he gets AS much exercise as he ever did.
 The White House menu is pretty much of the same character as will be found in the house of the average American citizen in comfortable cir cumstances. For breakfast, roll and steak, ham and eggs, fish, chops and coffee, preceded by the fruits of the season and oatmeal and cream, of which both the president and Mrs. Cleveland are fond. Luncheon con- sists of tea, cold meats, bread, and but ter and berries. Dinner will be soup, fish, with the standard meats and vegetables and fruit. No wines are ever served unless guests are at the table. After dinner the president may take cigar, but his smoking is generally confined to a single one. His occupations now leave him but little time to read books, but he has been an extensive reader of classical poems and fiction, and quotes from l them freely. His newspaper reading